Readers capture magic of marine life

The holiday weekend combined with some of the lowest tides of the year to make for phenomenal photos sent in by readers.

La Jolla was among the most popular places, but interesting images emerged from Imperial Beach to Carlsbad. Virtually any place where there's a surf reef provides pockets and pools for sea creatures that landlubbers rarely get to see in the wild.

Lindsey Agnew went to Swami's Beach in Encinitas. "We had a great time taking pictures of all of the animals we found in the tide pools, including hermit crabs, anemone, shrimp, fish, and even an octopus. There were a lot ...
— / Lindsey Agnew

Neal Matthews used a small Olympus underwater camera to take this fish picture in the tidepools at Cabrillo National Monument, and later identified it as a young sculpin. "The fish is about an inch long, and you can see that ...
— / Neal Matthews

To submit a photo for consideration, send it to mike.lee@uniontrib.com. Please include your name, the community where you live and the location of the photo, along with any other details that might be useful. We will update the album at 4 p.m. Friday and on Monday morning.

This afternoon, the tides will hit their low about 3:15 along the San Diego County Coast. The best time for viewing is as the water recedes. Be careful when the ocean starts rising again. It gets dark early this time of year and it's easy to lose track of time and tides.

Here are some other tips provided by Birch Aquarium, California Department of Fish and Game, and Cabrillo National Monument.

• Be careful not to step on plants or animals.

• Don’t turn your back on the ocean. Occasional large waves can sweep unwary visitors into the water.

• Keep small children close. They can easily slip and fall.

• Leave everything where you find it. Even the smallest shells can be used by young hermit crabs.

• Never let the incoming tide cut off your route back to shore.

• Consult a tide chart (try divebums.com) and a field guide that focuses on California species.

• Quietly watch pools for movement to discover crabs and fish that hide from view when disturbed.

• Touch animals as gently as you would your eyeball. Organisms that are found in the water should only be handled in the water.